Medicare: Cover Long-Term Care for Alzheimer's Patients

Since 1966, Medicare has provided insurance for Americans 65 and older. For many, this national insurance program is a key component of being able to afford retirement.

Medicare covers many things, like end-of-life hospice and in-home recovery services after a hospital visit, but there's a glaring and terrible gap for our elderly that must be addressed: coverage for long-term care for Alzheimer's patients.

Alzheimer's care costs are on the rise, and the prevalence of the disease only continues to increase. According to the Alzheimer's Association, "by 2050, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer's disease may nearly triple, from 5.1 million to a projected 13.8 million, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent or cure the disease. "

With Congress unwilling to fund Alzheimer's research and Medicare offering no assistance for the long-term care of people with this tragic disease, their care often falls to family members and loved ones. In 2014, the Alzheimer's Associate estimated that 15.7 million family members and friends provided 17.9 billion hours of unpaid care to people with Alzheimer's and other dementias, at an economic value of over $217 billion.

That's a huge burden on the families and friends of people living with Alzheimer's.

We need to do something about it. Medicare is intended to help our elderly get the healthcare they need. Someone who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's has a real, continuous, medical need for care. Tell Medicare to step up and cover 100% of long term care for any person with Alzheimer's or other dementias whose doctor has recommended long-term care.

Sign Here

As the head of Medicare, I'm writing today to implore you to take the steps necessary to ensure proper care is provided to our elders diagnosed with Alzheimer's and other dementias.

As Alzheimer's progresses, people often lose the ability to care for themselves. As such, long-term care is necessary to keep Alzheimer's patients safe and healthy. Unfortunately, because long-term care is currently not covered under Medicare, the friends and family of those impacted by this terrible disease are often called to take up the burden of care. Just last year alone, the Alzheimer's Associate estimated that 15.7 million family members and friends provided 17.9 billion hours of unpaid care to people with Alzheimer's and other dementias, at an economic value of over $217 billion. These numbers prove that there is absolutely a need for government support in caring for people diagnosed with Alzheimer's and other dementias. Families and friends of those with Alzheimer's disease are being worked beyond their limits in trying to care for them alone.

Alzheimer's is not going away any time soon. Congress has yet to commit to funding Alzheimer's research on a scale that could result in prevention or cures for the disease. The Alzheimer's Association believes that, "by 2050, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer's disease may nearly triple, from 5.1 million to a projected 13.8 million, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent or cure the disease."

Medicare needs to step up to fill a huge hole in its coverage for America's seniors by covering 100% of long term care for any person with Alzheimer's or other dementias whose doctor has recommended long-term care.

Ms. Tavenner, please use your position to advocate for Americas Alzheimer's patients, their families, and loved ones. Long-term care is a necessity for anyone with Alzheimer's and other dementias. Make sure Medicare helps them get the care they need.

Sincerely,

Petition Signatures

Mar 19, 2018KATHY Mantey

Mar 19, 2018(Name not displayed)My Mom is suffering from Alzheimer's. It's awful to watch your loved one suffer with this. To add insult to injury we have little to no coverage to help with care. Medicare NEEDS to help us care for our aging population. Please cover this disease 100%

Mar 18, 2018Jacquie AntepenkoMy mother in law was diagnosed with dementia in her 60s. At 77 she had end stage Alzheimer’s disease and passed away last week. She missed so much in that span of time. My children missed their grandma. She deserved a better life than what she had.

Mar 18, 2018Maria Isabel G BeckerNot only pay but monitor the quality of the health receive. My husband has Dementia. I have seen houses of horrors that are called nursing homes. I've been witness of fraud and, when they know you know, they want your relatives out of there.

Mar 18, 2018Tamara Wheat

Mar 18, 2018(Name not displayed)

Mar 18, 2018(Name not displayed)

Mar 18, 2018(Name not displayed)

Mar 18, 2018Fawn Hiatt

Mar 18, 2018Renee James

Mar 18, 2018(Name not displayed)

Mar 18, 2018Shirley Denney

Mar 18, 2018Janet Jarreau

Mar 18, 2018(Name not displayed)

Mar 18, 2018(Name not displayed)

Mar 18, 2018Rebecca RorkMy husband is going on his 9th year with this horrid disease we live in SS his goes to assisted living makes living on my own very difficult

Mar 13, 2018Kathy DiasThis is a huge disservice to our elderly by Medicare and our government. Stop taking care of other counties and take care of your own citizens!

Mar 13, 2018(Name not displayed)

Mar 13, 2018(Name not displayed)

Mar 12, 2018(Name not displayed)

Mar 12, 2018Barbara VernonI pray everyone will sign. Six of us, three couples, have been longtime friends and my husband died after 13 years with it and now the other two men are living with Alzheimer’s. Thank you.

Mar 12, 2018Yvonne Landry

Mar 12, 2018John Peden

Mar 12, 2018(Name not displayed)

Mar 12, 2018Monica Besa

Mar 12, 2018Karen Radke

Mar 12, 2018Kristy ChristianMy mom was diagnosed 8 yrs ago...at 60...it's incredibly hard to watch her die before my eyes and I can't do a damn thing about it...

Mar 12, 2018(Name not displayed)

Mar 11, 2018Sheri Nodine

Mar 11, 2018Erod Setnom

Mar 10, 2018Stephanie Powell

Mar 10, 2018Janice KavadasJust think of yourself facing Alzheimer's. What would you want done to help you?